Starlight and Petals (taekook)

6:Skirmish

ignore the mistakes:

Author's pov:

The city lights blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors as Jungkook drove aimlessly, the silence in the car broken only by the rhythmic hum of the engine. He'd ditched his usual security detail, the need for privacy gnawing at him. The past 24 hours had been a whirlwind of confusion, a tangled mess he couldn't seem to untangle.

His life had been on a steady upward trajectory, a carefully constructed path towards his dreams. Then, Taehyung. His sudden reappearance had thrown everything into disarray, dredging up buried memories that left a bitter taste on his tongue. A surge of anger coursed through him. Taehyung had no right to disrupt his carefully constructed world.

Yet, a part of him couldn't help but reminisce about their shared past, a bittersweet symphony of laughter and stolen glances. He slammed his fist against the steering wheel in frustration. Memories were a luxury he couldn't afford right now.

He pulled the car over to a curb, the engine sighing to a stop. He looked out at the deserted street, the emptiness mirroring the hollowness he felt inside. Why? Why did Taehyung have to come back after all these years?

Then, a flicker of light caught his eye. Across the street, the familiar glow of Taehyung's flower shop beckoned. It was late, well past closing time. His brows furrowed in confusion. Last time he was here, Taehyung had insisted the shop was closing. Why was the light still on?

A sudden surge of determination replaced his confusion. He needed answers. He needed to hear from Taehyung himself, to understand the motives behind his unexpected intervention. With a deep breath, he stepped out of the car, the deserted street a silent witness to his unannounced visit.

Jungkook pushed open the door, the chime a jarring intrusion into the tense silence he carried. Taehyung emerged from behind a towering display of lilies, his eyes widening in surprise that morphed into a mask of indifference a heartbeat later. Every muscle in Jungkook's body tensed.

"We're closed," Taehyung said curtly, his voice betraying no emotion. His gaze flickered towards the door, a silent plea for Jungkook to leave.

"I know, I can read," Jungkook retorted, his voice tight. But his eyes, blazing with a mix of anger and confusion, spoke volumes more. He took a menacing step forward, and Taehyung instinctively recoiled.

He took a menacing step forward, and Taehyung flinched, a tremor running through his body before he forced himself to stand still. His gaze darted around the room, avoiding Jungkook's intense stare.

"I'm here for answers, Taehyung," Jungkook pressed, his voice low and dangerous. His fists, clenched at his sides, trembled with barely contained rage.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken emotions. Taehyung's breath hitched, and for a fleeting moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossed his face before he slammed it shut.

"and there's none to be given, so please leave" he said, his voice strained. He met Jungkook's gaze for a brief moment, his eyes blazing with defiance. but beneath the anger, Jungkook thought he saw a flicker of something else - he could not read.

"I've clearly told your friend not to come to my workplace," Taehyung stated, his voice tight. "Please leave; I have nothing to discuss."

Jungkook's anger simmered. He strode towards Taehyung, who gulped and instinctively stepped back. Jungkook stopped abruptly, a flicker of something in Taehyung's eyes - a flicker of hurt? Of longing?

"Why are you back in my life, Taehyung? What's your game? Was your plan to accuse me and then clear my name?" Jungkook demanded, his voice laced with frustration.